O'Connor explains 'suicide' comments

O'Connor explains 'suicide' comments

Irish singer SINEAD O'CONNOR has spoken out to reassure fans after she sparked fears for her health with a number of worrying posts on Twitter.com.

Published 31st January 2011

The Nothing Compares 2 U hitmaker recently posted several messages on the social networking website in which she wrote about having suicidal feelings. She has now shut down her Twitter account and explained her comments.

In a frank interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday, O'Connor reveals she has been feeling overwhelmed by motherhood as she raises her children single-handedly.

She says, "I would never act on those feelings. A lot of people have suicidal thoughts and you should never be ashamed to say that is how you are feeling. That was how I was feeling at the time that I wrote on Twitter and now I am dealing with my feelings.

"But I would never ever act on those feelings. By saying you feel the way you do it's a way of getting rid of the feelings. When I posted on Twitter it was like emotional diarrhoea, I was thinking out loud and it was a great blessing that I could express those thoughts."

O'Connor admits she is particularly struggling with her six-year-old son, Shane, who was born following an affair with musician Donal Lunny.

She explains, "Last summer, I lost my temper with him and smashed his Xbox (games console) on the floor. Now people will probably say that I am a terrible mother doing that, but I just couldn't cope... I felt suicidal because it's my fault that Shane's father isn't in his life."

And the singer admits she would welcome a visit from social workers to give her advice on how to cope in stressful times.

She adds, "They're very helpful. They're in the business of supporting parents and therefore kids... So I wouldn't mind at all if they came around. Maybe they'd have some advice... Social services are way better than some psychologists."